Backendless
Backend-as-a-Service with database, realtime, auth, files, and cloud code
Nhost
Open-source Firebase alternative delivering instant GraphQL backend
Nhost provides a fully managed, open-source backend with PostgreSQL, instant GraphQL via Hasura, authentication, storage, and serverless functions, supporting any frontend framework and easy self‑hosting or cloud deployment.
Overview
Overview
Nhost is a developer‑focused backend platform that replaces Firebase with an open‑source stack. It combines PostgreSQL, Hasura‑generated GraphQL, built‑in authentication, file storage, and serverless functions, all accessible through a unified CLI.
Capabilities
The instant GraphQL API lets you query and subscribe to data without writing resolvers. Authentication and storage are provided out of the box via Hasura Auth and Storage modules. Serverless functions run on Node.js, supporting both JavaScript and TypeScript, and client SDKs are available for JavaScript/TypeScript and Dart/Flutter, making the service frontend‑agnostic.
Deployment
You can start instantly on the hosted Nhost platform with a few clicks, or self‑host the entire stack using the provided Docker‑compose configuration for full control over data and infrastructure. The Nhost CLI streamlines local development, testing, and deployment, ensuring a smooth workflow from prototype to production.
Highlights
Instant GraphQL API powered by Hasura over PostgreSQL
Built‑in authentication and file storage via Hasura modules
Serverless functions with JavaScript/TypeScript support
CLI and Docker‑compose for local development and self‑hosting
Pros
- Fully open‑source stack
- Native GraphQL experience
- Flexible deployment: hosted or self‑hosted
- Multi‑language client SDKs
Considerations
- Tied to the Hasura ecosystem
- Requires familiarity with GraphQL
- Limited to PostgreSQL as the database
- Hosted pricing details are not disclosed in the repo
Managed products teams compare with
When teams consider Nhost, these hosted platforms usually appear on the same shortlist.
Looking for a hosted option? These are the services engineering teams benchmark against before choosing open source.
Fit guide
Great for
- Teams needing a rapid GraphQL backend
- Developers looking for an open‑source Firebase alternative
- Projects that require serverless functions alongside a database
- Applications that must work with any frontend framework
Not ideal when
- Projects that require a NoSQL database
- Teams preferring a pure REST API without GraphQL
- Apps needing built‑in real‑time database beyond GraphQL subscriptions
- Organizations that need proprietary vendor support
How teams use it
Flutter mobile app
Leverage the Dart SDK for authentication, storage, and GraphQL queries without managing backend infrastructure.
React web dashboard
Use the JavaScript SDK to prototype data‑driven UI with real‑time GraphQL subscriptions.
Self‑hosted SaaS product
Deploy the full Nhost stack via Docker‑compose on a private cloud for complete data control.
Serverless API endpoint
Write Node.js functions that run on demand, accessing PostgreSQL through the GraphQL layer.
Tech snapshot
TypeScript72%
Go21%
HTML3%
JavaScript1%
Nix1%
Vue1%
Frequently asked questions
Is Nhost truly open source?
Yes, the entire Nhost stack is released under the MIT license and the source code is publicly available.
Can I self‑host Nhost?
Absolutely. A Docker‑compose file is provided to run the full stack on your own infrastructure.
Which database does Nhost use?
Nhost uses PostgreSQL as its underlying relational database.
How does authentication work?
Authentication is handled by Hasura Auth, offering email/password, social logins, and JWT support.
What client SDKs are available?
Official SDKs exist for JavaScript/TypeScript and Dart/Flutter, covering most modern frontend frameworks.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 9,047
- Watchers
- 9,047
- Forks
- 562
LicenseMIT
Repo age4 years old
Last commit3 hours ago
Primary languageTypeScript
Last synced 2 hours ago